X1600 Grainness issue update from Intel

I've decided post at NBF if I have any updates from Intel.

09/07/06:
Intel called this morning, the issue is now at engineering level in Taiwan headquarter. he'll call me every once a week to give me updates.

The case # I created with Intel remains open at this time.

11/30/06:

List of all graininess-free BIOS, also support Merom:

S96J/Z96J Version 1201: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...s/S96J1201.zip
1201 Nero Image: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/96J1201.nrg


You don't need bootable CD to update, thanks to Turbogear's trick.
1:Just unzip the file and place the BIOS file to your C: root directory, example C:\S96J.ROM
2: Open WinFlash and browse the BIOS file from your C:\ and click flash.
3: Windows will reboot to Aflash program in DOS mode and it'll start to flash BIOS automatically (Don't turn off the computer during BIOS flash)
4: When it's done the computer will reboot by itself and press F2 to enter BIOS when you see the Intel logo.
5 Press F10 to save and exit.


Instruction for using Nero Image files to burn a bootable CD:
1: Download NERO image file for the BIOS update.
2: Use Nero to burn the image file to the CD
3: Insert CD and when first power on the laptop press "ESC" at Intel logo screen
4: Select Optical drive at boot options screen
5: at "A:\" prompt type "Update" and press "Enter".
6: it'll automatically update the BIOS and don't turn off or reset the computer during BIOS flash.
7: screen will go back to "A:\" prompt when finish
8: restart the computer and then hold F2 to enter BIOS, press F10 to save and exit BIOS.




Nero Image file Version 1104:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/96J1104.nrg


W3J Version 209A:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...W3JAS_209A.zip

V1J:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...Asus/V1Jas.zip

F3JA:
206 Beta
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JA206.zip

208 Beta, this maybe the final BIOS for F3JA, confirmed by Laurent Grenet that the graininess is fixed and no other issues.
http://www.gentechpc.com/Asus/F3JA208.T00


F3JP:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JP203.zip

205 (special thanks to turbogear, tested by turbogear, works great!)
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JP205.rar

New Version 207, confirmed fixed graininess by many other users: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/F3JP207.T00

W2JB
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...us/W2J204T.zip

A7J
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/images/N...s/A7Jas300.zip

Use Winflash utility to flash BIOS.

You are welcome. Also thanks to Hyperluminous, the very first owner of S96J in the US who brought it to my attention.

We don't know what's gonna happen as the case still remains open, hopefully there will be a fix to all ATI X1600 graphics card.

Intel ask me the same question, They would like to know if anyone has the same problem with Linux.

The case still open, now it's at engineering level in Taiwan as I already mention before. Asus does not directly support S96J since they sold it to Intel as a VBI program and they do have agreements, hopefully we'll hear from them sometimes soon but I do know it might take sometimes, this issue isn't as simple as the "red ghosting" issues found on Z70VA that they can just simeply replace the LCD controller chip (yes, it wasn't even the LCD, it's the controller chip). ATI is the GPU maker, Asus has to contact ATI for the help to get the problem resolve, it might take sometimes since Asus and all of us might have to wait for ATI's solution, it's not like I open a case with Intel and they will call me back next morning and tell me: ok Ken, I found the fix of it and here is the updated driver or whatever the fix is. I was told by Intel that it's not really their product ( which is true) so they had to pass the case to AsuMobile in Taiwan where their R&D department is (so something can be done), Intel even told me the grainness is not even that difficult to duplicate on their end, all they have to do is go to www.comcast.net and they see it, does the GPU really have problem with the hardware? I don't think so, as you mention other people does not have the same problem with Mac OX, the problem only happen on Windows and since I got your PM I called Intel this morning to let them know that, they'll pass the information to AsuMobile in Taiwan. Microsoft did purchased one S96J from us few weeks ago, they are the deparment who works on Windows bugs that is related to hardwares and they've been purchase many hardwares from us in the past, I didn't had a chance to ask what are they working with S96J this time but I might call him tomorrow if he wants to tell me. Please be patient , as soon as I hear from Intel I'll let you guys know. Edit: The problem is not S96J itself, it's all ATI Mobility X1600 notebooks with Microsoft Windows XP. More likely the solution will come from ATI and Microsoft, the evidence shows that ATI X1600 does not have grainness issue with Mac OS, blame Asus for this? I don't think so as all X1600 from other notebook manufacturers all has the same problem with Windows XP, it's more like you build a desktop using Asus MB with ATI video card, I don't think Asus will be able to provide a solution without getting the GPU maker involve, we'll just have to wait to see what their response is. There must have some firmware issue with ATI and Microsoft in the source code that I personally don't know.

That's why I like NBF better than the "other forum".

They can't close the ticket without letting me know.
I was able to confirmed with Asus North America this afternoon that they did received the case I open with Intel, Taiwan headquarter is working on it, we both think that a VGA BIOS update might fix it.

I was told by Hyper that MacOX does not have this issue, only when they install Windows XP, I've also pass this information to Intel, but one thing for sure is the fix will be VGA BIOS.

Asus is working on it, I'll just have to wait to see what's thier solution is, I don't know if Asus has to get ATI involve for VGA BIOS update, if they do, I am affraid it might take a while. Of all customers I've talked to who has X1600 graphics cards they all told me the samething that the grainness issue is not a big deal, doesn't bother them at all. If I count you as one of them who compaints about this issue then you are the 2nd one (unless there are some of my customers at NBR that I don't know). Hyper, don't get me wrong, I am still going to follow up with Intel and Asus to have them get the problem resolve. Also someone mention it could be LCD on NBR, it's not LCD, I've already tell Hyper the same LCD on Z96F does not have grainness issue using Intel graphics card.